Investment in the Poultry Sector in Nangarhar

The Inter Ministerial Committee, the managing body of the Comprehensive Agriculture and Rural Development – Facility (CARD-F) in their first official trip to Jalalabad Province has participated in the signing of the contract for the Economic Development Package (EDP) designed by CARD-F for Kama District of Nangarhar Province between the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock and Private Consultancy Firm (Italtrain) for the implementation.

This EDP proposes investment in the poultry sector that comprises: establishment of 4 breeder farms with a production capacity of 3.4 million breeding eggs, 4 hatcheries with a capacity of producing 2.8 million day old chicks, 50 new broiler farms with a capacity of producing 1.5 million broilers, 1,000 new household (especially female-run) layer farms with a total capacity of 30 million eggs and provision of advisory and technical assistance to farmers in marketing, business and relevant sectors, with funding also made available for establishment of a concentrated feed mill for chicken and a fully equipped slaughter house.

The total value of this package is $5 million USD. It will be implemented by a Private Consultancy Firm (Italtrain) which will be monitored by MAIL and CARD-F.

This EDP is designed to stimulate economic growth (including growth in incomes and employment) in Kama District of Nangarhar Province. The objective of this package is to attain a prosperous and poppy free rural Afghanistan. This package will create 1145 direct jobs, as well as a large number of indirect job opportunities for the residents of Kama District.

Kama District, due to its proximity to Jalalabad City, has a major importance in the growth of Agribusiness in Nangarhar Province. The Agribusiness sector in Kama District is suitable for an increase in the capacity and production of high value produce based on market demand. This will result in growth of economic activities, job creation and income generation for famers in Kama District.

Ezatullah, a farmer in Kama District says: “Lack of poultry farms in the country, technical knowledge, access to veterinary services, insufficient production, low quality input material and insufficient capital constitute major problem of the farmers. As a result we cannot compete with poultry imports in the country. With the trust of God and implementation of CARD-F EDP in our district, we will be able to compete with the imports of poultry products to our country”.

CARD-F is a joint entity established under the auspices of Agriculture & Rural Development (ARD) Cluster ministries. It is administered by the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock (MAIL), the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), the Ministry of Counter Narcotics (MCN) and the Ministry of Finance.

CARD-F is managed by an Inter Ministerial Committee (IMC). The IMC is chaired by the Minister of Counter Narcotics with membership drawn from MAIL, MRRD, MCN and MoF.

The future plan of CARD-F is to design and prepare Economic Development Packages throughout Afghanistan.